Malinga hints at retirement after World T20

Two wickets in his first over and two more in his second spell was how Lasith Malinga marked his comeback into competitive cricket after more than three months. Figures of 4 for 26 helped Sri Lanka beat the UAE by 14 runs but the performance didn't entirely make him happy.

Instead, Malinga said that he is on his last legs and might even consider announcing his retirement from T20Is. Towards the end of the post-match press conference, Malinga was asked if he would make a retirement announcement before the World T20 like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara did in 2014.

"There might be," was Malinga's response with a smile, before there was a long pause which eventually ended the briefing.

He had earlier said that his international career is now at a stage from where he can't really take long breaks, like he had to take after the knee injury that kept him out for the last three months.

"I am playing [for] 12 years in the national team, I am 32 years old," Malinga said. "I think if now I have an injury, it is hard to get rest. If I take rest for a year or more, that's the end of my career. If I need to play for my country, I have to play tough cricket in the last few months or years. I don't think I can fully recover from this injury but I try to manage this in future.

"I don't know how many months or years I will play. [At the] end of my career, I try to play maximum number of games for my national team or in the IPL. I want to play as long as possible, and at my best."

Malinga said that this has been a difficult comeback for him given that he hadn't played a game since November last year, due to a knee injury which he said was similar to the one he suffered in 2008 that kept him out of cricket for nearly a year.

"I am not happy [with my performance today]," Malinga said. "I haven't bowled a single ball in the last three months. I just bowled in the nets in the last two days. I am happy with the result but I think I have to do more for the team. I will try my best in the next game. [This performance] is not my 100 percent, maybe 60-70 percent, but still I managed to bowl yorkers and slower balls. Team expects more than that from me."

"I had a very bad injury in the knee. Same thing happened in 2008. I needed two years rest to recover. I had same injury in the other leg. This is not the right time to rest since we have the World T20. I am the experienced bowler in the T20 format. I have to use painkillers and injections, whatever I have to do [to play]. This is the end of my career so I want to do something for the team. I want to give my best in the last few years or maybe few months."

Coming back to the game, Malinga said that they were not too sure of the total they would have to put in front of the UAE as the pitch surprised them.

"We were not prepared for this wicket in Bangladesh. This is a really good wicket. We didn't know a target batting first. I am always saying we have to set a target. We got 129 so this is the best score for our team.

"We had to minimise those boundaries to defend that total. Their bowlers did really well, there was movement off the wicket and bit of grass. We managed to do well because we have experienced bowlers like myself, Rangana [Herath] and [Nuwan] Kulasekara. I am really not disappointed with the batsmen. UAE is a good side. I never underestimated them."

Current SL team is a fantastic side and even capable to scale its predecessors in quality provided they have good coach. The current coach is of mediocre standard.

Woody
on February 26, 2016, 17:12 GMT

Look at how he bowls man hey maybe 32 but the Miles on Lasith Shoulder are ridiculous.

Unlike Shaun Tait who gave away everything but T20 very early. Malinga played much more 50 over and Red Ball Cricket.

At 32 he is really 36-37 with his action and Mileage.

Kushal
on February 26, 2016, 8:29 GMT

Great Sir Malinga !!! Now that you are well rested and fit to bowl just retire from International cricket and serve IPL. Legend like Sanga no doubt.

Ramiz Amin
on February 26, 2016, 8:20 GMT

Malinga, still you have done a lot for your team.. May God bless you with a good health :)

Přiýañgãn Vp
on February 26, 2016, 8:00 GMT

he shud play the shorter formats (odi/t20).... b.cos the youngsters want some hlp from experienced bowlers

Ranil
on February 26, 2016, 7:18 GMT

What a star who brought fame & a WC to Sri Lanka. He is still regarded as the best bowler in the one day game & Indian Burmah said he learnt his skills from Malinga.I would rest him, if he wants until the WC. He has done more than enough for the country & accepting that he deserves to earn a few bucks outside & that he only knows of his body, the SLC should give him a good farewell whenever he wants.

Suresh
on February 26, 2016, 6:30 GMT

Not many people are surprised. I see this coming. His performance degraded since ODI world cup. Good luck to him!!!

Steve
on February 26, 2016, 3:29 GMT

Malinga should retire after WC. He was never the same bowler after his surgery before ODI WC in 2015. Even his benchmark performances in IPL have become sporadic in the last 2 years or so. Looks like quite a few stalwarts will call it quits after this T20 WC. Time for fresh faces and more energetic legs.

Madhusudhan
on February 26, 2016, 3:17 GMT

Lasith Malinga should quit IPL and play for SL Cricket. If he quits playing for SL, but continue playing for IPL, will reduce his stature earned by serving SL cricket for so long.

Cricinfouser
on February 26, 2016, 2:20 GMT

Malinga is being very humble even when tasting success. Sri Lankans are so unassuming and neutral fans like them for their humility. The same cannot be said about their big brother neighbor!

Adel
on February 29, 2016, 4:02 GMT

Current SL team is a fantastic side and even capable to scale its predecessors in quality provided they have good coach. The current coach is of mediocre standard.

Woody
on February 26, 2016, 17:12 GMT

Look at how he bowls man hey maybe 32 but the Miles on Lasith Shoulder are ridiculous.

Unlike Shaun Tait who gave away everything but T20 very early. Malinga played much more 50 over and Red Ball Cricket.

At 32 he is really 36-37 with his action and Mileage.

Kushal
on February 26, 2016, 8:29 GMT

Great Sir Malinga !!! Now that you are well rested and fit to bowl just retire from International cricket and serve IPL. Legend like Sanga no doubt.

Ramiz Amin
on February 26, 2016, 8:20 GMT

Malinga, still you have done a lot for your team.. May God bless you with a good health :)

Přiýañgãn Vp
on February 26, 2016, 8:00 GMT

he shud play the shorter formats (odi/t20).... b.cos the youngsters want some hlp from experienced bowlers

Ranil
on February 26, 2016, 7:18 GMT

What a star who brought fame & a WC to Sri Lanka. He is still regarded as the best bowler in the one day game & Indian Burmah said he learnt his skills from Malinga.I would rest him, if he wants until the WC. He has done more than enough for the country & accepting that he deserves to earn a few bucks outside & that he only knows of his body, the SLC should give him a good farewell whenever he wants.

Suresh
on February 26, 2016, 6:30 GMT

Not many people are surprised. I see this coming. His performance degraded since ODI world cup. Good luck to him!!!

Steve
on February 26, 2016, 3:29 GMT

Malinga should retire after WC. He was never the same bowler after his surgery before ODI WC in 2015. Even his benchmark performances in IPL have become sporadic in the last 2 years or so. Looks like quite a few stalwarts will call it quits after this T20 WC. Time for fresh faces and more energetic legs.

Madhusudhan
on February 26, 2016, 3:17 GMT

Lasith Malinga should quit IPL and play for SL Cricket. If he quits playing for SL, but continue playing for IPL, will reduce his stature earned by serving SL cricket for so long.

Cricinfouser
on February 26, 2016, 2:20 GMT

Malinga is being very humble even when tasting success. Sri Lankans are so unassuming and neutral fans like them for their humility. The same cannot be said about their big brother neighbor!

Kobe
on February 26, 2016, 1:28 GMT

One of the most exciting and unique characters the cricketing world has ever seen, brought a lot of life to the game. Will be missed.

Android
on February 26, 2016, 0:43 GMT

if Afghanistan was playing VS Sri Lanka today the results was different . I don't know why Afghanistan had to play in Qualifying round ?

Dhawala
on February 26, 2016, 0:36 GMT

Thank u very much Lasith for your support for the team as Srilankans we all really love u forever

Aldon
on February 26, 2016, 0:30 GMT

If Malinga retires that will be a big blow for me. I am watching Cricket & Supporting Sri Lanka for a long time. Whenever I hear the name Malinga I get excited. Definitely one of the few World Class Bowler that Sri Lanka produced.

This world cup is interesting there is so much at stake south africa wants a world cup win india pressurized to win at home, afridi possbily playing his last world cup, now malinga, mccullums smart he pulled out so he won't pressurize the team to play for his retirement. Its all brewing nicely.

ashok
on February 25, 2016, 21:42 GMT

Too much cricket is killing bowlers in every country. Bowlers - 32 and thinking of retirement like Malinga but batsmen 40 and still playing like Misbah !

Arsalan
on February 25, 2016, 20:59 GMT

will he reconsider his retirement as its happening in south asia since last 3-4 years :)

No featured comments at the moment.

Arsalan
on February 25, 2016, 20:59 GMT

will he reconsider his retirement as its happening in south asia since last 3-4 years :)

ashok
on February 25, 2016, 21:42 GMT

Too much cricket is killing bowlers in every country. Bowlers - 32 and thinking of retirement like Malinga but batsmen 40 and still playing like Misbah !

This world cup is interesting there is so much at stake south africa wants a world cup win india pressurized to win at home, afridi possbily playing his last world cup, now malinga, mccullums smart he pulled out so he won't pressurize the team to play for his retirement. Its all brewing nicely.

Aldon
on February 26, 2016, 0:30 GMT

If Malinga retires that will be a big blow for me. I am watching Cricket & Supporting Sri Lanka for a long time. Whenever I hear the name Malinga I get excited. Definitely one of the few World Class Bowler that Sri Lanka produced.

Dhawala
on February 26, 2016, 0:36 GMT

Thank u very much Lasith for your support for the team as Srilankans we all really love u forever

Android
on February 26, 2016, 0:43 GMT

if Afghanistan was playing VS Sri Lanka today the results was different . I don't know why Afghanistan had to play in Qualifying round ?

Kobe
on February 26, 2016, 1:28 GMT

One of the most exciting and unique characters the cricketing world has ever seen, brought a lot of life to the game. Will be missed.

Cricinfouser
on February 26, 2016, 2:20 GMT

Malinga is being very humble even when tasting success. Sri Lankans are so unassuming and neutral fans like them for their humility. The same cannot be said about their big brother neighbor!

Madhusudhan
on February 26, 2016, 3:17 GMT

Lasith Malinga should quit IPL and play for SL Cricket. If he quits playing for SL, but continue playing for IPL, will reduce his stature earned by serving SL cricket for so long.

Steve
on February 26, 2016, 3:29 GMT

Malinga should retire after WC. He was never the same bowler after his surgery before ODI WC in 2015. Even his benchmark performances in IPL have become sporadic in the last 2 years or so. Looks like quite a few stalwarts will call it quits after this T20 WC. Time for fresh faces and more energetic legs.

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